Joining the team is Ken Karr NG2H. A CW enthusiast, Ken was most recently a member of the VK0EK Heard Island 2016 DX-pedition team. Ken was first licensed in 1955 and credits Amateur Radio for launching his interests in science, engineering and oceanography. Ken is retired from the US Navy; his assignments included commanding two nuclear fast attack submarines and serving as the senior member of the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination team. We are very happy to welcome Ken to the team.

With the cooperation of Elecraft and the Baker Island KH1/KH7Z DX-pedition team we will share the same Elecraft equipment. Upon its return to California the Elecraft equipment will be tested, configured and repacked for shipment to the Braveheart in New Zealand. Elecraft offered their assistance to expedite the process. We appreciate the willingness of both Elecraft and the Baker team to support VP6D.

Joining our list of corporate sponsors is Cornelius Paul DF4SA of Spiderbeam GmbH whose products will be added to the antenna plan.

Providing an All Time New One (ATNO) is a key objective of VP6D. We will keep stations on 20 meter SSB and CW as propagation permits. Additionally, FT-8 may also provide DXers an ATNO opportunity during periods of poor conditions.

As previously reported, we kicked off our fundraising campaign with a generous grant from the Northern California DX Foundation, followed by individuals, DX clubs and foundations. We especially appreciate the support from the following European organizations: German DX Foundation, Swiss DX Foundation, UK DX Foundation, European DX Foundation, Mediterraeno DX Club (Italy), Clipperton DX Club (France), GM DX Group (Scotland), Radio Society of Great Britain, LA DX Group (Norway), OHDXF (Finland), and the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group (BARTG). Like any DX-pedition to a rare entity, we will continue to actively solicit financial support.

Of course, we appreciate the clubs, foundations and individuals that have already supported the project with their donations. A current list of all donors is available at: vp6d.com